The Enneagram is a personality test that has gained a lot of momentum in recent years due to its personal and professional applications. But why is it important and could it really have a broader impact on individuals and businesses? The answer is YES! Knowing ourselves on a deeper level, allows us to gain insight into our motivations, fears and creates space for individuals and businesses to create a more collaborative and creative environment.
Having a deeper understanding of yourself as an individual gives you power.
As individuals, we are all incredibly complex and unique, our true strength comes from owning our individuality and embracing that which sets us apart from everyone else.
The Enneagram Types (in a nut-shell)
I would suggest that you visit this site to truly gauge your ‘type’ but also know that individuals can have sub-types since we all have our own complex set of experiences and motivations! The Enneagram quiz in linked below!
A note on ‘wings’: Individuals hardly ever fit perfectly into a ‘type,’ in the enneagram, you can have a sub-type, called a ‘wing.’ Your wing will often be adjacent to your core number on the Enneagram diagram. Find links below post for more information!
Type 1 – The Perfectionist
Ones seek balance, they are intentional, self-controlled, perfectionistic and find calm in reliability. They value integrity and discernment for themselves and the world around them and can tend to avoid fault and blame due to their moralistic point of view. Ones can see life in terms of the extremes- black and white, right and wrong. This perception can lead to judgmental-ness and an uncompromising perspective when left unchecked. Ones can tend toward criticalness and have an astute awareness of their own imperfections which can lead to feelings of inadequacy.
Type 2 – The Giver
Type Two’s are generous and people-pleasing, they desire acceptance and contribution. They tend to be idealists, focused on the best possible outcome and are genuinely engaged in working toward a better world. They are givers and nurturers, and want to be needed, this can lead to a sense of co-dependance and potential manipulative qualities when they don’t feel needed, this is a core fear of Two’s.
Type 3 – The Performer
Type Three’s are driven and image-conscious, they are charismatic and inspirational, and often take on leadership roles as they are great at motivating those around them. They are motivated to achieve through competence and productivity but also desire recognition for their work, which can challenge their core fears if not met. Three’s often mold themselves into what they think they should be, and keep themselves busy to appear productive, which can lead to a lost sense of self.
Type 4 – The Individualist
Type Fours are expressive, creative and value uniqueness. They don’t want to be like everyone else and tend toward self-conscious individuality. Four’s are self-conscious and insightful, and seek meaning and purpose. The desire to be gifted, intuitive and unique can lead to an over-analytical mind and a sense of elitism. Four’s can become sensitive, self-absorbed and dramatic at their worst.
Type 5 – The Observer
Type Fives are perceptive and intuitive, they can tend toward secretiveness and isolation. Five’s tend to live a minimalistic lifestyle and value knowledge and insight over material items. They are self-sufficient and can tend to isolate themselves in intellectual thought. The true voyeurs of the Enneagram, Five’s prioritize self-development and intellect over most social interactions. They fear being useless or incapable, which can lead them to retract into themselves and detach emotionally.
Type 6 – The Loyalist
Type Six’s seek security and certainty through structure, they are courageous, loyal and committed. They are responsible, trustworthy and engaged and are great collaborators. Six’s are great at foreseeing possible outcomes, but can also tend toward paranoia, which stems from their awareness of outside threats. Six’s can tend toward skepticism, which speaks to their interest in understanding other’s motivations and perspectives, but this can also lead to distrust and an overly-paranoid point of view.
Type 7 – The Enthusiastic Visionary
Type Seven’s are pleasure seekers, they are adventurous, optimistic and seek self-discovery and personal growth. They tend to be extroverted and seek a life of excitement. Seven’s have an entrepreneurial spirit and are great at self-promotion and enthusiastic communication. Seven’s often avidly avoid negativity and commonly seek distractions as an avoidance technique. Seven’s have a difficulty in acknowledging the darker sides of themselves, and tend to disconnect emotionally from internal or external negativity.
Type 8 – The Protector
Type Eight’s are strong-willed, energetic leaders that take charge of their circumstances. They have strong instincts and make decisions with an unwavering trust in themselves. Eight’s have strong, protective instincts towards friends and family, but likewise have an immense disdain for betrayal and can act harshly when they perceive disloyalty. They seek independence and control, which can cause difficulties in allowing for emotional vulnerability and deep connections in Eight’s personal relationships.
Type 9 – The Peacemaker
Type Nine’s are optimistic, trusting and seek balance. They desire connection and are great moderators as they tend to be empathetic, caring individuals. Nine’s seek harmony and peace overall, often times through avoidance of conflict and change. To type nine’s, change can signify a sense of un-balance and can create anxiety, however nine’s tend to be more adaptive then they give themselves credit for. When unbalanced, nine’s tend to internalize their emotions, which can lead to passive-aggressiveness and expositions of anger. Because they avoid conflict, they often suppress their true feelings which can often arise abruptly and without warning.
Resources:
Find Your Enneagram “Type” with this easy online-quiz:
Find more In-Depth Information on each Enneagram Type:
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